Arrests Made in Northern Mariana Islands for Violating U.S. Export Control Laws
Two individuals were arrested last weekend in Saipan, the capital of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, for attempting to export certain controlled products and defense articles to the People’s Republic of China.
According to the indictment, Peter Zhu, purportedly with Shanghai Meuro Electronics Company, Ltd., in the Peoples’ Republic of China, requested to buy several products which require an export license from an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Specifically, Zhu requested to purchase amplifiers used in digital radios which are broadband, three-stage devices designed for use in commercial digital radios and wireless local area networks. Zhu also requested to purchase monolithic high-electron-mobility-transistor (HEMT) amplifiers which are included in Category XI(a) of the U.S. Munitions List and therefore subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
The indictment further states that Ding Zhengxing and Su Yang became involved in the negotiations for the delivery of the devices. Zhengxing and Yang traveled to Saipan on or about January 25, 2008, to take possession of the amplifiers and were arrested. They were indicted for conspiracy to illegally export defense articles, aiding and abetting the illegal export of defense articles and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
At a federal removal hearing yesterday in Saipan, a federal judge ordered Zhengxing and Yang transferred to El Paso, Texas for trial.
Labels: DDTC, Export Controls